If you’re at all like most historical costumers, you tend to focus on the main part of a new costume – the dress. I know I do. Sure, you give a thought to the corset; maybe even make a new one which we know is the substance for a well-presented silhouette. Then you follow with Read More...
Tag: 1880s
Trying to Keep Up With Other Costumers?
“If you sew for fun, don’t feel like you’re falling behind if you see others talking about their sewing progress. Stick to what works for you – time & budget. It’s not a race. Enjoy the ride accomplishing new designs & techniques.” ~Jennifer Rosbrugh The response I got from posting the above status on the Read More...
When Your Bustle Poufs Just Don’t Lay Right
The event was lovely. Everyone was perfectly attired in their best bustle wear. Laughter resounded throughout the night, goodies were consumed with delight and smiles were shared for hours. Then you get home and upload the pictures to your laptop…. Oi! “Why didn’t anyone tell me my bustle was protruding from my left hip?! I Read More...
Because Every Woman Needs a Red Dress…
Do you like red? Have you made any costumes in red? Great! If you have, you have inspired me to take on my own red costume project. I don’t naturally gravitate towards reds. Blues, purples and pinks float my boat. So I’m taking the challenge to put some sort of red costume into my historical Read More...
Demystifying Bustle Skirt Poufs
If you’ve never made a bustle dress they can look quite intimidating. The complicated fabrics swirling every which direction; the tightly-fitted bodice with a tail that floats on the skirt; the trimming that knocks you sideways with its complexity. But under it all are actually some basic shapes. Drill down and that skirt is just Read More...
Fabric Choices for 19th C. Costumes – Part 3 – Cotton
Do you have a type of fabric that just calls to you? You know, the type that even though you’re looking for something completely different in the fabric store you just can’t help walking over to it and reveling in its deliciousness. Yeah, me too. It’s called cotton. Read More...
A Stroll Thru a French Jardin
Fashion Plate from La Mode Illustree, circa 1886 These lovely ladies are wearing such confections I just had to share! Since I don’t have the original magazine issue with the description of the plate I’ll list my own suggestions for how to make these costumes yourself. Read More...
The 1886 Ivory Spring Hat
But of course I needed a new hat for my new Bubble Gum Dress! Headwear including hats, bonnets, caps, floral wreaths and such can make such a difference to the overall finished look to a costume. People in the 19th Century wouldn’t go out in public without *something* on their head. So here’s what I Read More...